Every year, Nic’s parents will invite us for the Khoo Kongsi Clan annual dinner. It’s an evening of speeches, scholarships, food and karaoke.
Last year, Nic’s dad brought his own DVD for the Karaoke session. Strangely, this year, he was contented to just sit by the table and listen to others croon away.
For Nic’s family, the highlight of the evening is the speech. Ever year, Nic’s dad will deliver a message to inspire the younger members of the Khoo Kongsi Clan.
Nic’s Mum always looks forward to his speech. She always looks at her husband admiringly when he delivers the speech. He usually shares a simple made up story that’s packed with deep meaning.
Meanwhile, I’m here to banter and joke with Nic’s cousin and sample the good food.
This chinese restaurant restaurant is at Tanjong Katong Complex. It is a simple place with minimal decoration but the food tastes pretty good. Shark’s fin is served though.
We always wipe every platter clean. Partly because the food tastes good. Partly because the older generation refuses to let anything go to waste.
When I first heard of the Stark Museum of Art, I immediately thought of the Philippe Stark mouse that Nic gave to me long ago. The poor mouse is now sadly buried beneath a thick bunch of computer wires in a quiet drawer.
But as it turns out, the Stark Museum of Art has nothing to do with the great designer Philippe Stark. In fact, it is affiliated with the Stark Foundation which is founded by philanthropists Mr H J Lutcher Stark and his wife, Nelda C Stark for the purpose of improving the quality of life in Southeast Texas.
It does so by encouraging, promoting and assisting education, the arts, and health and human services. The Stark Museum of Art is one of its many programs to achieve its goals.
Since I’m looking for ways to decorate my new room, I can find interesting paintings from its current exhibit entitled “Celebrate Shangri La”. Only thing is, it might be a little off budget. 
What do you think of this painting of a Great Blue Heron?
At first I assumed that the “Celebrate Shangri La” collection features paintings from the actual site in the Himalayas, but I later discovered it’s from the Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center in Orange, Texas.
I think I might look for something a little more tropical. If you are interested in Western Art and American Indian Art, do visit the Stark Museum website and visit the actual museum in Texas.
Last Christmas, I bought for myself a brand new pair of sunnies. Now I can’t find them anywhere.
I know there are other sunnies out there, but this is the only one I really like.
I don’t want a new pair. Sunnies, I want you back. *chokes ‘n tears*
Last night, Nic and I were discussing business cards. More specifically, we were discussing the ethics of giving away business cards.
Most people I know will automatically bow their head slightly when receiving a business card, as though they feel deeply honored to be given the card. There must have been a time when people only give away their business cards to a select few whom they are open to working.
Unfortunately, business cards have become very commercialized. Salesmen print boxes of them to give away to as many that are willing to see their sales pitch as possible. Sometimes, it even feels annoying when a salesperson barge in to forcefully place a card in your hand.
But all is not lost. Yesterday, I also saw business cards that were designed to look like postcards. Since we usually only receive postcards from those who truly treasure our love, I’m guessing those who received these lovely cards felt slightly in awe and honored.
The last time I saw SuYin was many many years and moons and stars ago. It felt so unreal to be sitting across the table from each other, we couldn’t stop snapping photos.
Then we reminisced about our schoolgirl days of telling tales and biting nails and having two of the “most huggable” bums in the history of Infant Jesus Convent.
After all these years, we still have that one thing in common.
I’m meeting a friend from school days whom I haven’t seen since 1996. I will usually want to rub in a huge dollop of anti-wrinkle cream and flash some bling bling when meeting up with girls from school days, but not with SuYin.
Even after all these years, I feel as though I will be perfectly comfortable with her. I would have happily met her for a roti prata in shorts and cotton tee had we not decided to meet at City Hall where the green train line meets the red.
SuYin just came back from Tokyo where she visited Afiza. Siew Ming is in New York and SuYin met up with her too when she came back for a holiday. I haven’t caught up with any of them since 1996 and suddenly feels ashamed to have kept to myself.
Suddenly I feel like I want to fly to them and give every one a hug. Some other girls have gone to Munich, London, and other big cities. I want to see them and touch them again.
Since every one has flown so far away, do you think it will be crazy for me to live in every big city of the world for a year each? I’ll start with flights to India then go around the globe…
Last week, I twittered “Two weddings and absolutely nothing to wear!” Nadnut was so sweet to ask if I would like to borrow her clothes. I was too embarrassed to borrow from her so I rummaged through the old stock and pulled out the same dress I wore for Valentine’s Day.
I wouldn’t have admitted this years ago before there was such a thing as blogs.
The truth is, when I’ve found a dress that I like, I secretly keep it for up to three weddings.
I figured that whenever I attend a relatives’ wedding, it will be in Negeri Sembilan. Whenever I attend a childhood friend or school mate’s wedding, it will be in Melaka. Whenever I attend a current colleague/friend’s wedding, it will be in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.
So, I can wear the exact same dress three times and no one will have a clue.
Then when others come up to me and compliment the dress, I can flick my hair and say, “Oh this old thing?” and totally mean what I say.
I like the vintage looking sequins and crystals.
Do you think the faery-cut at the bottom shortens a person’s height?
PS: Can you share with me what you usually do with your worn but still in mint condition cocktail dresses?
Ever since I’ve started blogging, I’ve had the opportunity to attend one or two product launches here and there. All I have to do is get dressed and turn up.
Meanwhile, the marketer needs to organize the invites, provide the door gifts, spoil me with free flow of food and drinks, show me the new product, repeat a sales pitch about the new product, and then keep his fingers crossed that I will make a mention of it on my blog.
I don’t understand why that has become the industry standard to “managing” bloggers. Don’t they know? Bloggers like to have fun and bloggers like to preen themselves in front of a camera.
I love what TriScents is doing. They’ve invited everyone (including non-bloggers) to submit a YouTube video on why they should win a complete home makeover. The winner with the most votes will receive a $20,000 home makeover with celebrity home stylist, Tayna Memme!
I looked through the semifinalists and found this one by three-year-old Ashley who’ve had to live with poop smell from diapers ever since her triplet siblings were born!
Isn’t that a lot more fun? You should visit the semi-finalist gallery to see some of the quality videos out there. Vote for your favorite submission with up to one vote per day through June 7.
